41. Nightmares
CHAPTER 41
Nightmares
Hawke Stormblood
A blood-curdling scream rips me from sleep. My eyes snap open, heart pounding, adrenaline surging through my veins. Melinda thrashes beside me, her body contorting as if in agony. Another scream tears from her throat, raw and primal.
"Melinda!" I reach for her, but she's flailing wildly, her arms and legs a violent blur. Her nails catch my cheek, drawing blood. I barely notice it. All I can focus on is her face, twisted in terror, her eyes wide but unseeing.
The door bursts open. Kellan charges in, sword drawn, his eyes scanning for threats. Behind him, I see the shocked faces of servants, drawn by the commotion.
"Out!" I roar at them, even as I struggle to restrain Melinda. She's strong, far stronger than she should be, and it takes all my strength to hold her.
The servants scatter, but Kellan stands his ground. "Something is wrong," he shouts, sheathing his sword and moving closer.
"I said out!" I snap, managing to wrap the sheets around Melinda's thrashing form. She's still naked. No one else will see her this way. Not Kellan. Not anyone. She’s mine. Mine.
“No,” he snarls back at me, grabbing her kicking feet and holding them still on the bed.
I turn from him, unwilling to keep fighting when Melinda needs me. I won’t win. I know that. "Sweet girl, wake up." I cradle her face in my hands. "It's just a dream. You're safe. I'm here."
Her screams have subsided to whimpers, but her body still trembles violently. Through our bond come waves of terror and pain so intense they nearly overwhelm me. What nightmare has her in its grip?
"Melinda, please," I beg, pressing my forehead to hers. I push all my love, all my strength through our bond, trying to reach her. "Come back to me. Wake up."
Suddenly, her body goes rigid. Her eyes fly open, glowing with an white iridescent light. "Release me," she says, her words echoing with a malice that gives my chills. "And give me back what you stole or this one will be mine."
As quickly as it began, it's over. The glow fades from her eyes, and she collapses in my arms, unconscious.
I look down at where Kellan is crouched at her feet. “What the fuck was that?” My heart is racing. Fear grips my chest. "Get Healer Thalia. Now!"
“It was the fucking queen in the tower.” He twists toward the door and shouts. “Elen, fetch the healer.”
Melinda's eyelids flutter, and a soft groan escapes her lips. I cradle her upper body against my chest, relief flooding through me as her eyes finally open.
Kellan releases her legs and pulls a blanket over them.
"Hawke?" Her voice is a hoarse whisper. "What... what happened?"
I brush a strand of hair from her face, my touch gentle. "You were having a nightmare, sweet girl. Do you remember anything?"
She furrows her brow, concentrating. "I... no. Just darkness and anger. And fear." She shivers, and I pull her closer.
The door bursts open again, and Elen rushes forward with Healer Thalia close behind and Melinda’s other maid Lydia right behind her. "How is she?" Thalia asks, her keen eyes assessing the situation.
“I’m fine,” Melinda says, tugging one of the blankets higher. “Really. Nightmares happen.”
“Not nightmares where evil queens possess you and make you speak for them,” Kellan says in a low growl. “Let Thalia look you over.”
Melinda’s mouth drops open, shock blanching her face of all color. “I– what–”
Thalia approaches slowly, her hands raised in a placating gesture. "Prince Stormblood, I need to examine her. Please."
The maids back up a step and take up position next to Kellan, who looks like he’d like to toss me out of my own room and take over the entire situation.
“Hawke,” Thalia uses my name. I’ve known her my whole life. She’s been with my family for generations.
I hesitate, then nod permission. As Thalia moves closer, I keep my eyes fixed on her every movement.
The healer places a hand on Melinda's forehead, closing her eyes in concentration. Thalia moves her hand to Melinda's chest, right between her collarbones. Melinda's breath hitches, but she remains still.
"Her breathing and heart are steady," Thalia reports. "I sense no spells or poisons. You say she spoke as possessed?” Thalia asks.
“Yes,” I say. “She said to release me and to give back what was stolen.”
“Kellan is likely correct in thinking it was Aena,” Thalia says quietly. "Melinda made a connection with her in the tower from what your parents told me."
I shake my head, frustrated. "But dream-walking is an Upir ability. Aena's Fae. I’ve never heard of a Fae possessing another through a dream."
Thalia shrugs, a wry smile on her face. "Not everything in the world follows the rules we think we know, Prince Hawke. There are older magicks at work here. And you don’t really know if Aena is Fae or not. No one does."
“I think she’s right, Hawke,” Melinda says, her words slow and forced. “What I felt afterward was very similar to how I felt in the tower when my hand was stuck to the sword.”
“I can’t believe I’m going to say this. The woman is a walking collection of trouble, but I think you should speak to Nimue.” Thalia crosses her arms over her chest and frowns down at me. “She and her sirens were instrumental in getting Aena into that tower. Perhaps they know if something was stolen from her.”
My jaw clenches. Nimue. The very thought of involving her more with Melinda than she already is sets my teeth on edge. Nimue is unpredictable. Her goal is to fix the soul mate magick, but I fear the cost she’s willing to pay. But if it means protecting Melinda... I'd bargain with the devil himself.
“Thank you, Thalia. I will consider speaking with her.”
“Of course.” She bows and backs away a few steps before turning and walking out of the bedroom.
The older of Melinda’s two maids steps forward from Kellan’s side. “Can we help, your majesty? We could start a bath? Or pick out clothing for the evening meal?”
I glance at her maids and back to the woman in my arms. Melinda's face is pale, her eyes shadowed with lingering fear. But there's a spark of resilience there too, and a strength that never fails to amaze me. Her hair, tousled from sleep and struggle, frames her face like a dark halo. Even now, shaken and vulnerable, she's breathtaking.
"What would you prefer, my love?" I ask, my voice softening as I drink in the sight of her.
A bath , she answers in my mind.
I give her a smile and look back to the maids. “She would like a bath first.”
“Yes, your majesty. Right away.”
As the maids hurry out of the room, I keep my attention focused on Melinda, watching her face for any signs of distress. She seems calmer now, but I can still her unsettledness keeps me tense.
Moments later, the maids return with a tall, slender Fae man I recognize as my manservant, Baylin. Without a word, he moves to the corner of the bedroom where the large copper tub stands. With a graceful wave of his hand, water begins to pour from an ornate spout, quickly filling the tub.
Melinda's eyes widen as she watches. "Hawke, how...?"
I smile, relieved to see a spark of curiosity replacing the fear in her eyes. "Fae magick," I explain softly. "Everything in the house can be controlled with Fae magick. Your maids are Drakonii, so they are unable to access the plumbing system."
As if on cue, Baylin makes another subtle gesture and steam begins to rise from the tub. The maids add a few drops of scented oil, and pour something white and creamy into the bath. The fragrances fill the air. creating a soothing ambiance.
"That's incredible," Melinda breathes, her gaze fixed on the steaming tub. "It smells amazing."
I press a gentle kiss to her temple. “Good. I’m glad.”
Baylin bows and exits the bedroom, closing the door behind him. The maids, Elen and Lydia, spring into action. Elen moves to a carved armoire, selecting a soft robe and placing it near the tub. Lydia arranges an array of fragrant oils and soaps on a small table within arm's reach. Their movements are efficient, almost choreographed, as they prepare the bath area without a word.
“You may go too, I will help her bathe.”
"Yes, your majesty," they echo, quickly retreating. As the door closes, a wave of relief washes over me. Finally, we're alone again.
I look down at Melinda, drinking in the sight of her. "How do you feel? Ready?"
"That bath is calling my name," she says, a smile spreading across her face. She taps my arm, signaling her desire to move.
For a moment, I tighten my hold, reluctant to let her go. The primal part of me wants to keep her close, safe in my arms, but I release my hold on her, allowing her to slither from my grasp.
As Melinda stands, the sheet I’d covered her with falls away, and my breath catches in my throat. By the gods, she is so beautiful. Her curves are soft and inviting, her skin like moonlight made flesh. My eyes trace the graceful line of her neck, down to the gentle swell of her breasts, the subtle dip of her waist, the flare of her hips. Every inch of her is perfection.
But it's more than just her physical beauty that captivates me. It's the strength in her stance, even after everything she's been through. The intelligence that shines in her eyes. The kindness in her smile. I'm in awe of her, body and soul.
My heart swells with a love so profound it almost hurts. This remarkable woman is mine, as I am hers. Our bond pulses between us, a constant reminder of our connection.
"You're staring," Melinda says with a hint of amusement in her voice.
I smile, unapologetic. "Can you blame me? You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
A blush colors her cheeks, and I resist the urge to pull her back into my arms. Instead, I stand and offer her my hand. "Let's get you to that bath, my love."
I walk her over to the tub, but before I help her climb in I lean down and brush my mouth over the top of one of her breasts. And then the other. “You taste so good, too,” I say, almost purring.
“We’re going to waste this amazing bath water if you keep doing that.” She giggles and steps closer to the bathtub. “Help me in.”
I glance over at the cloudy water. “My baths don’t usually look like that. The water looks dirty already.”
She shakes her head. "It's milk. It's so good for the skin." Melinda holds out her hand, and I take it, helping her balance as she steps into the deep tub.
I watch her settle into the milky water, admiring the way it caresses her skin. She looks up at me, her eyes sparkling with invitation. "Join me?" she asks, her voice soft and alluring.
My heart races. "Are you sure?"
She shifts forward to make space. "Please."
Without hesitation, I step in behind her. The tub is spacious enough for us both, and I settle myself against the back, my legs stretching out on either side of Melinda. Carefully, she leans back, her spine aligning with my chest.
"Good?" I ask softly, my arms loosely encircling her waist.
Melinda relaxes against me, her head resting on my shoulder. "It's perfect," she murmurs.
Tension slowly melts away from her body as the warm, fragrant water works its magick. My thumbs trace soothing circles on her skin beneath the water's surface. She sighs, a soft sound of contentment that eases the knot of fear that had lodged itself in my chest.
"Hawke," she murmurs, turning her head to nuzzle against my neck. "I'm sorry I scared you."
I tighten my arms around her, pressing a kiss to her temple. "You're safe now. That's all that matters."
She shifts in my embrace, her body turning to face me. Her eyes, clear and present, meet mine. Gone is the terror that haunted them earlier. In its place, I see love, trust, and a spark of desire that sets my blood aflame and turns my cock to granite. She drags her body against my cock and I groan.
“Flip back around, love,” I say, turning her on my lap again.
“Hawke, I–”
“I know what you need, sweet girl.” I grip her around the waist and lift her up. “Tuck your feet back toward me, so that you’re still on your knees.” I line up my cock and sit her right down on top of me. I sink deep, loving the way her body shudders.
She moans and rocks, bouncing on me just a little.
“That’s it. Good girl.” I keep one hand on a hip and reach around and cup one of her breasts, rolling the nipple between my fingers, and tugging firmly until she whines beautifully. Her body softens, surrendering to mine.
“Mine,” I growl, pulling her back to my chest and biting down on the bite mark I left on her shoulder.
I bury myself deep inside her again.
She comes apart with a scream, her body pulsing tightly around me, bringing my release crashing down hard after hers.